Drywood Termite Control in Petaluma

Signs of Drywood Termites in Your Home

Drywood termites infest relatively dry wood above ground, including structural beams, wooden trim, and furniture. Their colonies develop within the wood and don’t require contact with soil.

Subterranean termites build nests in soil and commonly travel through mud tubes. Drywood termites don’t create these tubes. Instead, they produce small waste pellets called frass, which may collect in piles resembling sawdust.

Evidence of possible drywood termite activity includes:

• Frass piles: Small pellet-like material appears below infested wood.
• Kick-out holes: Tiny openings allow termites to push frass out of their internal galleries.
• Hollow-sounding wood: Wood may sound hollow when tapped because termites have consumed material inside it.
• Winged termites: Swarmers may appear near windows, doors, or other sources of light.
• Wood damage: Trim, furniture, or structural components may show visible deterioration.

The western drywood termite is native to California’s Pacific coastal region.

How Inspection Findings Shape Treatment

Treatment selection depends on the infestation’s location, extent, accessibility, and damage. Activity confined to one area may require a different response from evidence found in multiple parts of a structure.

After inspecting the property, we explain the recommended approach and why it fits the conditions we found. This allows us to tailor the treatment plan instead of assuming one method suits every infestation.

Why Professional Termite Inspection Matters

Drywood termites spend most of their lives deep inside wood and are rarely seen until they swarm. Surface evidence can reveal activity, but it doesn’t always show the full extent of a colony.

California’s minimum requirement for termite inspections is a visual search of accessible areas. Hidden infestations may require access beyond a standard visual inspection, and no visual inspection can detect activity inside every concealed or inaccessible space.

In California, pesticide applications performed for hire generally must be done by a licensed pest control professional. Accurate identification and an informed treatment recommendation are therefore important parts of the process.